Emory & Henry has a long and distinguished tradition of pre-legal education. Since law schools do not require or even recommend a specific pre-law course of study, the college encourages pre-law students to develop programs of study which emphasize the areas of knowledge needed for good performance on the Law School Admissions Test and for subsequent good performance in law school and as attorneys. Based on surveys of law schools and lawyers, the significant skills and areas of knowledge are written and oral communication, including composition, speech, and debate; logic and reasoning; economics and general computation; and knowledge of history, government, and political affairs.
Students interested in law careers are aided by a pre-law advisory committee at Emory & Henry, composed of students, faculty, administrators, and alumni who are lawyers. Faculty members in the Political Science Department counsel students and maintain liaisons between the college and law schools in the region. An active Pre-Law Society sponsors trips to visit law schools, special speakers, and other events which focus on the legal profession.
Students who plan to pursue legal careers should be aware of the keen competition for admission to law school and should recognize the need for hard work and high academic performance. The admissions criteria of most law schools emphasize demonstrated aptitude on the Law School Admission Test, a high GP A, and good letters of recommendation. Practical experience obtained through internships or volunteer work often is beneficial. The college offers such experiences through local offices of the Legal Aid Society, Commonwealth's Attorneys, and private law firms. In some instances, outstanding students obtain pre-law internships with Congressional offices.